Luminaire



Nov.V l0, 1964 v. s. wlNcE 3,156,419

LUMINAIRE Original Filed Aug. 23. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A f4 Il 26 .(4

52 45 425A. 'ma {0 44 222,?

ATTORN EYS Nov. 10, 1964 v. s. wlNcE 3,156,419

LUIIINAIRE Original Filed Aug. 23. 196C 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 46 44 INvz-:Non

54 48 Vea/Z SCI/face ATTQRNEYS Nov. l0, 1964 v. s. wlNcE 3,156,419

mamma Original Filed Aug. 23. 1960 4 SheetsSheet 3 46 24 fz ed ia w Nov. l0, 1964 v. s. wlNcE LUMINAIRE Original Filed Aug. 23. 1960 36 Z8Z2 T1 .5-

0 f 5'? Sa.| 50

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oftce 3,156,419 Patented Nov. l0, 1964 3,156,419 LUMIN The present invention relates to enclosed ceiling mounted luminaires in general and in particular to im` provements in concealed latch structures therefor and to improvements in hinged lens frame arrangements whereby escape cf light about the frame is eliminated.

This is a continuation of application Serial No. 51,309, now abandoned, tiled August 23, 1960.

Although the invention is shown and described in connection with a recessed lighting unit, it should be understood that it is equally applicable to exposed ceiling xtures. In luminaires of this type, it is desirable to accomplish relamping by means of a pole lamp changer. Such changers consist of a spring linger arrangement which can be forced onto a lamp bulb and grip it sufficiently to allow the lamp to be screwed into or out of the socket. Such lamp changing poles are of sutcient length so that the fixture may be reached by a person standing on the door below. The opposite end of the pole is usually capped by a rubber cushion or cup member.

Since a primary purpose for using this type of changer is to minimize the time required to replace bumed-out lamps, it is necessary that the luminaire be made so that it may be opened easily in some manner preferably employing the pole lamp changer. Small latch buttons or levers projecting below the luminaire from a conventional frame retaining latch mechanism are undesirable because they are dillicult to contact with the end of a long pole and, additionally, because they invariably require an opening through the lamp housing through which stray light escapes.

It is therefore highly desirable, from an appearance standpoint and also from an easeo-operation standpoint, that the unlatching method of operation be easy to effectuate and that the latching means be entirely enclosed within the internal structure of the lamp. The present invention accomplishes these objectives by the employment of a movable or tloating luminaire lens plate which actuates a latch located within the lamp housing. As the luminaire lens is raised from its normal lowermost position within the door frame it contacts an overlapping ear portion connected to a pivotal latch means upon a side wall portion of the housing thereby releasing a catch securing the lens frame in the housing opening.

The edge of the leus frame is provided with a lip portion which cooperates with a channel portion of an outer trim ring about the housing to effectively block any escape of light from the lamp housing about the outer periphery of the hinged door. After the necessary maintenance has been performed within the inside of the luminaire, simple and easy relatchng of the door may be accomplished by the mere upward application of force to the flame with the rubber tipped end of the pole lamp changer.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved ceiling mounted luminaire having a hinged access door and a completely enclosed latching means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concled luminaire latch means which is operable by the upward movement of a movable luminaire lens.

A still further object ot' the invention is to provide an improved luminaire having a movable portion which may be externally unlatched and which does not have any fil stray light escaping from about the movable portion thereof or through the latching means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a luminaire with an improved latching mechanism which is simple in design, durable in construction, neat in appearance and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and the invention will be fully understood from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation in cross section of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view in elevation taken along line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the latch mechanism with portions broken away showing the lens frame in closed position taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, with portions broken away, showing the mounting of the trim channel to the housing, taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view with portions in section showing a frame hinge member;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevation view of the frame hinge taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a broken sectional view taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the door frame in closed relation;

FIG. 9a is a sectional view of the latch mechanism in closed relation taken along line 9a-9a of FIG. 9;

FIG. l0 is a partial cross sectional view showing the luminaire lens in raised position releasing the latch mechamsm;

FIG. 10a is a view taken along line 10a-10a of FIG. 10;

FIG. 1l is a broken eros sectional view showing the frame in open position; and

FIG. l2 is a view of the method of relatching the door frame within the luminaire housing.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodied in a luminaire shown generally at l0 includes a rectangular box-1ike housing 12 having a pair of opposed mounting tlanges 14. The inside of the luminaire housing is provided with the usual light source shown here as in incandescent lamp attached to a socket 18 having a reector member thereabotrt. The reector 20 is held within the housing by a plurality of comer supporting brackets 22 which are also adapted to provide the mounting for a generally' F cross section trim ring or channel member 24 spaced about the rectangular opening of the housing and held thereto by screws 26. A latch member 28 is pivotally secured to an upstanding support portion 30 of the trim channel 24 by a rivet member 32. The latch is continuously urged in a clockwise direction by a bias spring 34 so that an outwardly projecting stop portion 36 contacts the upper surface of the support 30 (see FIG. 3). Also included on the latch 28 is a projecting ear portion 38 which extends in clearance relation through a cutout portion 56 in frame 44 to an overlying position above a light transmitting panel or lens member 50. The latch 28 is also provided with a depending catch portion 40 which is adapted to be releasably engageable with a corresponding catch 42 formed in an upstanding web portion 54 of the frame 44.

Referring to the hinged door portion of the luminaire, the rectangular frame 44 carries an upwardly projecting peripheral lip portion 46 which extends into the downwardly projecting F-shaped portion of the channel 24 to form a light trapping passageway which prevents escape of light from the luminaire about the frame member. The frame 44 is also provided with an inwardly projecting flange portion 48 which forms the supporting surface for a light transmitting panel or lens structure 50 disposed therein. Although the light transmitting panel has been shown to be hat in nature, it should be realized that the invention is equally applicable to a concave, as well as a convex lens structure. The lens 50 is loosely retained above the tlange 48 by a plurality of stops S2 spaced at opposite edges of the frame. lt should be noted that the stops 52 are spaced above the upper surface of the lens 50 to allow vertical movement of the lens upward under the force of a release pole 62 (see FIG. l0). Although the right hand stop members 52 in this figure are shown in a lower relation than the left hand stop members 52, it should be appreciated that the invention only requires the vertical movement of the lens member 50 to operate properly. As shown, upward pressure upon the lens S creates a lever action therein to pivot the lens clockwise about the right hand and lower stops 52. The upstanding web portion 54 of the frame 44 is provided with a cut-out portion 56 which allows passage of the latch release tab 38 therethrough into an overlapping portion with the lens S0. The opposite side of the frame 44 mounts a pair of opposed hinge members S8 secured by screws to the frame and having pivot portions extending into apertures 60 in the channel member 24. The door frame 44 is additionally provided with a counter balance spring 64 atlxed at one end to the frame and at the other end to a portion of the housing. This spring acts to pre vent excessive opening of the door and aids in the upward return of the door during relatching.

In operation the enclosed luminaire is opened by the upward movement of the pole 62 against the lens 50 which in turn trips the release lever 38 and unlatches the catch 40 from engagement with catch 42. As soon as the frame 44 is thus released, it will drop unti lthe left hand stop members 52 rest upon the upper surface of the lens 50, thereby preventing the catch 42 from reengaging 40 when the upward pressure of the pole 62 is removed. The lamp fixture may be closed by the mere upward movement of the frame (FIG. 12). During relatching in this manner, an upper inclined portion 66 of the catch 42 acts to cock the catch 40 counterclockwise to the right and after sucient upward travel of the frame, the bias spring 34 will act to rotate the catch 40 under the member 42, thereby returning the assembly to the closed condition. When closed, it can be seen how the rays of light from the lamp 16 do not escape from the luminaire housing about any external portion of the frame member 44 by the interaction of the F-shaped channel with the up- Standing lip portion 46 of the frame. Ure upstanding web 54 extending upwardly above the ceiling line further increases the light trapping ellciency of the trim channel.

Thus it can be seen how the invention has provided a novel combination in a luminaire of a hinge door release mechanism which contains no external operating mechanism. Furthermore, because of the elimination of the usual external operating mechanism for the latch, light escape therethrough is prevented. Additionally, light escape abouttheperipheryofthehingememberis vented by the use of a novel interacting combination of channels and webs to provide an improved overall luminaire appearance. The invention has further provided a luminaire which may be relamped readily and easily with a conventional elongated pole member without recourse to ladders, etc., and without the usual nccient and time Consuming form of exposed lever operated latches so commonly employed in prior art lixtures.

While a spedfc embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. In combination with a ceiling mounted luminaire having a downwardly opening housing, a frame pivotally l mounted on one side thereof along a fixed hinged line for movement from a closed horizontal position to a vertically downwardly extending position, an inwardly projecting tiange of said frame defining an aperture therein, a light transmitting member in said aperture and supported by said tlange in a normal horizontal position when said frame is in the closed horizontal position, stop means atiixed to said frame and spaced above said light transmitting member when said frame is iu the closed position, said light transmitting member being freely vertically movable between said liange and said stop means, latch means pivotally supported intermediate said housing and said frame for releasably supporting said frame in the closed horizontal position, said latch means entirely lying in planes completely above the lowermost plane of said frame, release means extending from said latch means below said stopmeans and over said light transmitting member when said frame is in the closed horizontal position and in close proximity to said light transmitting member for being engaged thereby when said light transmitting member is moved upwardly, said release means being moved upwardly from a normal position by said transmitter when the transmitter is moved upwardly, said latch means being pivoted and disengaged from supporting said frame when said release means is moved upwardly, whereby said frame is free to drop to the open vertically downwardly extending position.

2. The combination of claim l, wherein said stop means is spaced above said light transmitting member a predetermined distance to permit member to be retained against said release means until said frame is clear of said latch means while said frame is pivoting to the open position.

3. The combination of claim l, wherein light sealing channel means integral with said frame extend about the periphery of said frame for preventing escape of light about the frame periphery, said light sealing channel means being continuously formed below said latch means and extending in planes below said latch means, Said latch means lying entirely within vertical planes between the sides of said channel means, whereby said latch means are completely obscured and unaccessible.

4. The combination of a door assembly for a luminaire comprising, a frame, an inwardly extending flange denrnganaperturensaidframealighttransmtting member supported by said tlange, stop means mounted on said ange and spaced above said light transmitting said transmitter being freely movable between said ange and said stop means, with a luminaire honsing having a downwardly facing opening complementarily shaped for receiving said frame and transmitting member in horizontal closing relation therewith, hinge means pivotally mounting one side of said frame in said housing, latch means for suppo the side of said frame opposite said one side in said housing and means for relean'ng said frame from said latch vertically upward movement of said transmitting member, said latch means receiving said frame for again supporting the same as said frame is pivoted upwardly to the closed position and engaging said latch means, said light transmitting member being positioned by gravity beneath said releasing means and out of operable contact thexe with when said frame is pivoted to the closed position.

5. A luminaire comprising, a housing adapted to be mounted to a ceiling, a downwardly facing opening formed in said housing, a downwardly facing Substantially F- shaped channel connected to said housing about said opening, a frame, said frame including an outer periph eral lip portion projecting upwardly into saidA downwardly facing channel, an inwardly extending llange defining an opening in said frame, a light transmitting member of larger area than said opening defined by said inwardly extending ange of said frame and supported upon said flange, stop means spaced above said light transmitting member and ange, said light transmitting member being vertically movable between said ange and said stop means, hinge means along an edge portion of said frame pivotally mounting said frame on said housing within said housing opening, a latch pivotally mounted upon said housing, an ear extending from said latch means and projecting over an edge portion of said light trannmltting member for engaging the same, said ear being moved upwardly by said transmitter when the transmitter is moved upwardly, said latch being rotated by the upward movement of said ear, a frame catch downwardly depending from said latch, spring bias means intermediate said latch and said housing holding said catch in engagement with said frame, said catch holding said frame in closed relation to said housing, said catch releasing said frame when said latch is rotated by said light transmitting 3 member being raised above said angc and moving said ear upwardly.

6. A luminaire according to claim 5, wherein said frame includes an upwardly extending web portion between said lip and said frame opening, said web extending upwardly into the opening defined in said housing by said channel when said frame is in a closed latched relation, said F-shaped channel of said housing, said outer peripheral lip portion of said frame and said web of said frame being formed continuously in the area of said latch and said frame catch, said frame, in the arca of said latch and said frame catch extending in horizontal planes therebelow.

7. A luminaire according to claim S, including an inclined camming portion upon said frame in alignment with said frame catch to rotate said catch into a relatched position upon upward closing movement of said frame.

No references cited. 

5. A LUMINAIRE COMPRISING, A HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED TO A CEILING, A DOWNWARDLY FACING OPENING FORMED IN SAID HOUSING, A DOWNWARDLY FACING SUBSTANTIALLY FSHAPED CHANNEL CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING ABOUT SAID OPENING, A FRAME, SAID FRAME INCLUDING AN OUTER PERIPHERAL LIP PORTION PROJECTING UPWARDLY INTO SAID DOWNWARDLY FACING CHANNEL, AN INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE DEFINING AN OPENING IN SAID FRAME, A LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEMBER OF LARGER AREA THAN SAID OPENING DEFINED BY SAID INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE OF SAID FRAME AND SUPPORTED UPON SAID FLANGE, STOP MEANS SPACED ABOVE SAID LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEMBER AND FLANGE, SAID LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEMBER BEING VERTICALLY MOVABLE BETWEEN SAID FLANGE AND SAID STOP MEANS, HINGE MEANS ALONG AN EDGE PORTION OF SAID FRAME PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID FRAME ON SAID HOUSING WITHIN SAID HOUSING OPENING, A LATCH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED UPON SAID HOUSING, AN EAR EXTENDING FROM SAID LATCH MEANS AND PROJECTING OVER AN EDGE PORTION OF SAID LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEMBER FOR ENGAGING THE SAME, SAID EAR BEING MOVED UPWARDLY BY SAID TRANSMITTER WHEN THE TRANSMITTER IS MOVED UPWARDLY, SAID LATCH BEING ROTATED BY THE UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID EAR, A FRAME CATCH DOWNWARDLY DEPENDING FROM SAID LATCH, SPRING BIAS MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID LATCH AND SAID HOUSING HOLDING SAID CATCH IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FRAME, SAID CATCH HOLDING SAID FRAME IN CLOSED RELATION TO SAID HOUSING, SAID CATCH RELEASING SAID FRAME WHEN SAID LATCH IS ROTATED BY SAID LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEMBER BEING RAISED ABOVE SAID FLANGE AND MOVING SAID EAR UPWARDLY. 